My Weekly Journal & Reflection

“New Month, New Grade, New Adjustment”

Journal & Reflection: Week 9, April 3 to 6 2023

It is another month, another grade, another adjustment. This week I was assigned to Grade 3 Narra, a heterogenous section, I have mixed feelings about this, I know that there will be a greater challenge for me that awaits. 

I noticed that the majority of the students seemed to be silent around me when I first entered the classroom. Maybe it's because they've never seen me before or they might just be shy around me. I made an effort to engage with them and communicate with them, which helped them overcome their shyness so they could speak freely to me on that particular day. I have also noticed that Teacher Anna, does not use cursive writing when writing on the board, she, later on, explained to me that there are still some pupils who cannot write and understand cursive words. I have noticed that day, that most of the students to 30 minutes to 1 hour to finish one activity. 

The next day, we have to go to our university to apply for our graduation, it still feels like yesterday when I fill the enrollment form, feels like yesterday when I was just sitting inside our classroom listening to our professors during the discussions, feels like yesterday when the pandemic significantly impacted our education in all aspects, especially in terms of communication, the availability of resources to support our online classes, it feels like yesterday when I needed to do a part-time job in order to support my education while having the fear of having Covid-19 or having a fear of not being able to comply to the requirements in my courses. On the next day, we had to comply with the project assigned to us by the district supervisor, which is to plant bougainvillea, it is challenging yet enjoyable for us since we get to have a bonding with our co-practice teachers and spend the day without thinking about our lesson plans and instructional materials for one day.

“Forgetful”

Journal & Reflection: Week 10, April 11 to 2023

For the past two months, I've worked with active learners who range in age from 4 to 9 at maximum. Being in Grade 3 with what they referred to as "heterogeneous learners" is a huge adjustment for me, since I was accustomed to active learners.  Active learners involve engaging with the subject matter through discussion, evaluation, summary, problem-solving, reflection, questioning, and practice interpreting the information while passive learners on the other hand a far more teacher-centered approach to learning, where students take an active role in lessons and absorb the information offered to them by their teachers. 

It's been a long holiday and weekend, and I have mixed feelings about teaching in Grade 3. This is my first time teaching hetero pupils ages 9 to 13, and I'm nervous about it, especially in creating detailed lesson plans and activities. I constantly check the time every day before I begin teaching, and it always takes me an hour and a half to teach plus 30 minutes for students to complete their activities and homework for every subject. I made an investigation into why these students took so long to complete their tasks, and I've discovered the following explanations: (1) they were unable to comprehend the lesson or the instructions very well; (2) they are unable to read or understand what they are reading; or (3) they write slowly, are unable to comprehend cursive or copy what is written for each letter, so to assist my students, I make sure to clarify the instructions carefully and clearly, or I will translate them into Filipino and provide two or more examples. 

On the other side, despite the fact that they sometimes do items incorrectly I have noticed that my pupils are truly eager to participate in our math lesson, answer questions, and write on the board. Every time I ask my students to deliver their assignments the other day. However, I have noticed something with them this week. I was startled to learn that the majority of them would claim to have forgotten to do it, remember to bring it, or leave it at home and that some would just ask to pass it later in the day or the day before. I asked Teacher Anna why, and she said that this was one of her biggest struggles in this class because the pupils would constantly fail to do their homework and have a lot of excuses. I realized that no matter how much you want to help your pupils if they are not willing to help themselves, all you are doing is pointless. It was just sad since this would affect their grades. Children forget things for a variety of reasons, including stress and sleep deprivation. Hunger might also have a significant effect which is why I decided to widen my understanding since there might be deeper reasons why they forget about their assignment or home-works, 

“Talented Too”

Journal & Reflection: Week 10, April 17 to 20 2023

During this week we only have a few remaining subjects and lessons to discuss, since next week will be their examinations. On April 17, our lesson in Filipino is all about adjectives, during the discussion I noticed that most of them are quiet during the discussion which for me is very unlike since I know their characteristics, later on in our activities I realized why, most of them got low scores in our activities even though I have included several examples during the discussion. Most of them used “masaya, or matiyaga” in constructing a sentence with an adjective and a verb. Because of that, I had to discuss again, make sure that I gave enough examples, and activities that they can practice at home, and make sure to ask them about it on the other day. 

On April 18, our lesson in Filipino is all about cause and effect, this time the pupils are able to identify the cause and effect in an event, or sentence, and able to give real-life examples with cause and effects which we enjoy much to hear, I was feeling proud this time because I realized that they are able to construct a sentence verbally, however, when it comes to writing, I noticed that most of them are unable to express what they want to express since of most them cannot spell words properly. Which makes me sad, I want to help them with this matter, but I only had limited time with them. 

The other day, we performed a skit which they really enjoyed. This skit gives the students lots of opportunities to express themselves and show off their talents. I have given certificates and awards to my students who excelled during our performance. Their expressions upon obtaining their certificates are indescribable; this motivated them and boosted their self-esteem, and they were able to show this to their family. When I heard most of them say "Ma'am, ngayon lang kami nakatanggap nang ganito, Thank you Ma'am," I got teary-eyed. 

What I have learned is that this piece of paper makes them feel appreciated, and seen. I make sure to tell them all that they are all excellent in their own unique ways because everyone can be excellent in the arts, music, acting, sports, and other fields. Excellence is not limited to achieving high marks in academics or extracurricular activities.

“Some things have to come to an end”

Journal & Reflection: Week 12, April 25 to 28 

I hate goodbyes. As much as I hate the words “I am sorry”, the words “goodbye, bye-bye, or till we meet again are the words that I do not want to hear. I hate leaving. I am invested in this journey, at this place, with these pupils, at this world. This is my hiding place, my happy place, and now it will turn into a memory.

This practice teaching journey taught me several things that I needed to survive, this three months practice teaching experience taught me to fight, taught me to be brave, strong, independent, critical, understanding, patient, and words are not enough to explain how happy and grateful I am every day for this opportunity. This is where I was able to make use of the “fake it until you make it”. Those smiles, those laughs, those greetings as you are walking towards your classroom, those pupils that never failed to remind me “to carry on, you’re just one step ahead Ma’am, you can do it!”

The way these pupils can smile or be happy despite receiving low grades or knowing that the majority of them are fighting their own battles at a young age taught me that it’s okay to chill sometimes, enjoy the flow, enjoy life, laugh about your problems, laugh about your struggles, it will be your greatest testimony tomorrow.

Since we were preparing for a variety of things, such as our final demonstration teaching, our action research, our e-portfolio, and other things that we needed to complete, I was unable to spend the remaining days with my Grade 3 students during our final week of practice teaching. On the contrary, although there have been certain challenges, hardships, and problems, I have managed to survive and truly enjoy being their practice teacher. I'll always remember this experience, and reminisce back on the wonderful moments all the time.